The Cairo development co-operation project

Kulttuurikameleontit ry launched the Cairo street children development co-operation project in 2010, with its emphasis on the empowerment of the street children and the social workers working with the children through education and vocational training. The project reinforces and supports the existing course of action of our partner Hope Village Society (HVS). 

The specific target groups of the project are girls and young women. The project focuses on our partner's day centres and the young street mothers' shelter. You will find more information about HVS’s operations through the link Work with the street children.

Workshop activities

Workshop activity lies at the heart of the Kulttuurikameleontit ry's development  co-operation project.     The association opened a batik workshop at the young street mothers' shelter in Mokattam in the spring of 2010 by recruiting a local professional to teach the girls manufacturing batik. In the batik workshop, the girls make Egyptian "Abeya clothes", which are very popular especially as women’s home wear. The dresses are decorated with unique embroidery and they display elaborate craftsmanship.

In the autumn of 2010, Kulttuurikameleontit ry started a candle workshop at the young street mothers' shelter in Cairo and it was followed in the spring of 2011 by jewellery and handicraft workshops. Candles, jewellery and handicrafts are made ​​for sale, and the young people who have participated in the workshop activities are get wages for the work done. There is also a carpet and basket workshop at the young street mothers' shelter in Cairo, funded by HVS.

An important part of the project has been to get the young people understand the value of money and respect work and commitment to work. Young mothers can spend their wages on buying themselves and their babies new clothes, toys and other items needed. Some of them are planning to save their wages for the day when they will be ready to leave the shelter for an independent life.

Through these workshop activities, Kulttuurikameleontit ry helps young mothers to acquire skills they can use later in life to employ themselves. A young woman who has learnt the manufacturing skills at an HVS workshop and become independent can later work even in her home kitchen without any major investments.

Workshop activities are to help street children and young mothers to find and identify their own talents. The feeling of having succeeded in given tasks will raise children’s self-esteem and help them trust in a better future.

In order for the street mothers to regularly participate in the workshop activities, nannies are needed to take care of the children of the street mothers while they are working. With the funds donated by Kulttuurikameleontit ry, HVS has hired a nanny for the young street mothers' shelter, which enables the mothers to work and learn by doing.

Only a visible problem can be solved

Kulttuurikameleontit ry brings up the problem of street children in a variety of events both in Egypt and in Finland. Kulttuurikameleontit ry has designed a special art event concept in order to make the street children problem visible in Egypt. The association is looking for funding to construct and implement the art event in Cairo.

The street children's art event concept consists of the following elements: music, drama / theatre, visual arts / stage setting, stage technique, decorating / sewing, sales and marketing. The children who will participate in the art event will receive a workshop type of guidance in the aforementioned skills. The music group will produce music for the shows, the drama / theatre group will produce community theatre type of theatrical performances, the art / stage setting team will make the props, the technical group will get familiar with e.g. the lights for the show, the decorating / sewing group will produce dresses for the show and the sales and marketing group will receive guidance on marketing art events.

In the music, theatre and visual arts groups, children can address issues important to them through artistic expression. Although the groups are not therapy, a therapeutic and integrating impact of art on the children's growth, development and socialization away from the street life is involved.

In the technical group and sewing and marketing groups, children practice professional skills aimed at both tutoring and vocational training. Through the workshops, children and young people can explore their skills and expertise areas, on the basis of which the project will encourage them later to educate themselves professionally.

The art event show is planned to be performed at a prestigious cultural arena such as the Cairo Opera House or the Library of Alexandria.